Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/826

 80^2 COTTAGE, FAUxM, AND VILLA AKCHITECTUllE. or single beds according to the size of the rooms. Four-post beds are most airy and comfortable ; and I have seen single four-post beds of a very elegant appearance. The bed and window curtains should be of silk, woollen stuff, chintz, dimity, or printed calico, according to the fortune or taste of the owner. For beds used by the family, perhaps printed calico or dimity furniture is best, as it may be occasionally cleaned or washed. There is room for the exercise of much taste in the hangings of beds, both in the choice of the colour and material, and in the disposition of the hangings. In the houses of great personages, bed furniture was formerly of a very costly description, and made of such stout materials that in many cases the hangings have lasted through several generations to the present time. At Boughton House, in Northamptonshire (formerly the seat of the Montagues), there were, a few years ago, some curious specimens of ancient bed furniture, of considerable antiquity, and much timeworn, but originally of great splendour. Some of these hangings were of a sort of stag velvet, others silk, or some other costly material, embroidered with coloured silk. The testers were generally rather low, and the valances put on plain, but cut into a form at the lower edges. Though simple, the effect of these beds was dignified, but rather gloomy. They were often sur- mounted by plumes of feathers ; and many such beds are still preserved in old mansion- liouses. A bed of rather more modern date than those at Boughton may be seen in the state apartments at Warwick Castle, put up, I think, for Queen Anne, and in good pre- servation. Our modern cheap stivffs are not likely to last so long. I have often slept, in a house which once belonged to a family much attached to the Stuarts, in a bed which was said to have been put up for the young Pretender. The furniture was of fine woollen plaid, of a scarlet ground. The valances were put on plain, but cut into elegant forms, and ornamented with silk binding, sewn on in a very elaborate pattern ; and in the same way the appearance of a rich head board was given by binding, sewn on at the head of the bed. The cornice was particularly elegant, cut into the form of the prince's feathers, and other devices, and covered with plaid : the effect of the whole was very handsome and cheerful. A rich modern material for the company beds, in a gentleman's residence, is merino damask, which, if lined with glazed stuff of the same colour, would have rather a handsome effect, and look well in almost any colour. Besides the bed, the furniture of the room consists of bed-steps, containing a night-stool and pot -closet, on each side of the bed ; carpets, and a hearth-rug before the fire ; a neat coal-box, with a cover ; a sufficient number of light chairs, a large easy-chair, and a dressing-stool. A large dressing-table, and swing glass ; a washing-table, with the necessary basins, jugs, antl glasses ; a wardrobe, and a sort of box for caps and bonnets, which is made an orna- mental piece of furniture, and a cabinet of any kind for trinkets, papers, &c. A small table on which to place books, writing implements, &c., and footstools and screens, are also necessary comforts in well furnished rooms ; and, in gentlemen's rooms, a boot-rack and boot-jack. Of course, there shoidd be every article used for washing the person, as bidets, feet-pans, water-bottles, and glasses, &c. A few pictures or glazed prints upon the walls would add to the cheerful appearance of the room. Window-curtains and blinds are indispensable ; and a small clothes horse or two, for ailing linen, drying towels, &c. A closet in a bed-room is convenient, in which to put away trunks and boxes, and other imsightly necessaries. A door in the bed-room should open into the dressing-room, which should be furnished to match the apartment to which it is attached. A complete dressing-room, besides what is necessary for washing and dressing, already enumerated in the bed-room, should have some other articles of furniture used in sitting-rooms : for example, a sofa, which could be made into a bed ; a large easy-chair ; a sofa-table ; a bookcase, containing a small collection of instructive and amusing books; and a chifTfbn- nier (literally a ragcase, used for placing books or papers in) : a few pictures and prints might decorate the walls. The floor might be covered entirely with car^iet ; the chairs might have cushions. In an elegant dressing-room for a lady are usually work- tables and a full-length swing dressing-glass, and many usefid and ornamental articles in plate and china, as inkstands, toilette suite, scent pots, caudle service, &e. &c. Of course, there must be what is necessary for containing wearing apparel, as wardrobes, cap-boxes, &c. A cabinet to contain jewel-boxes and small valuables may be also added. There should l)c a fireplace in every dressing-room, and a door communicating with the passage, or gallery. 1691. The Sitting and Sleeping Nurseries should be on the bed-room floor, and in a retired part of the house : they should be light airy apartments, with fireplaces in each. It is unnecessary to describe their furniture, which should be plain and strong. 1692. The Governess's Sitting-room, furnished like any other sitting-room, is usually on the first floor, and should be in a quiet part of the house. 1693. The Servants' Bed-rooms are commonly on the highest floor, approached by the back staircase ; the men-servants' rooms should, if possible, be ixpart from those of the